KENNETH ANDERSON NATURE SOCIETYConserve Nature

Kenneth Anderson Nature Society (KANS) is a registered society, formed in 2008 under the TamilNadu Societies Registration Act. KANS is focused on wildlife conservation in the Melagiri forest region spanning the Hosur and Dharmapuri Forest Divisions in the state of Tamil Nadu.

KANS carries out various conservation activities to reinforce the following key goals:

Advocacy of the Melagiris as an important biodiversity reserve. KANS documents the rich diversity of life in the Melagiris in a systematic way using field visits and camera traps. A database of flora, aves, mammalian fauna, and reptiles – with photo and video evidence – is maintained and used in advocating the Melagiris as a place of rich biodiversity. Over 234 species of birds, 35 species of mammals, 162 species of butterflies, 103 species of forest trees and 34 species of reptiles have been recorded with the help of experts.
Strengthening the arm of the forest department by capacity building – especially in the lower rungs that matter in the field – and sensitizing other arms of the government administration to the cause of conservation.
Relieving the pressure on the Melagiri forest region caused by human exploitation of the forests. KANS tries to achieve this by various awareness programmes among the local community and would also like to work on alternate means of livelihood for forest­ dependent communities.
KANS was selected for the prestigious RBS Earth Guardian Award in 2014, and has been entrusted responsibilities including membership in the Executive Committee of the State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority, Management Committee of the newly declared Cauvery North Wildlife Sanctuary etc in the recent past.

The Melagiris form part of an unbroken stretch of forests connecting Bannerghatta National Park (which forms its north­western boundary) to the forests of Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka (which forms its southern boundary separated by the river Cauvery), and further to Biligirirangan hills and Sathyamangalam forests.

Website : kans.org.in/donations

If you’re convinced to their cause, and the work they are putting into it, do supporting them on TFN by donating any amount you can.